Geothermal Technicians :: Job Description

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Geothermal Technicians

Careers / Geothermal Technicians

Summary Description


	Perform technical activities at power plants or individual installations necessary for the generation of power from geothermal energy sources. Monitor and control operating activities at geothermal power generation facilities and perform maintenance and repairs as necessary. Install, test, and maintain residential and commercial geothermal heat pumps.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Control Operator

2.	Control Room Operator (CRO)

3.	Corrosion Technician

4.	Distribution Field Technician

5.	Geothermal Field Technician

6.	Geothermal HVAC Technician (Geothermal Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Technician)

7.	Geothermal Installer

8.	Geothermal System Installer

9.	Geothermal Technician

10.	Ground Source Heat Pump Technician (GSHP Technician)

11.	Instrument and Controls Technician (I & C Technician)

12.	Instrumentation and Electrical Technician (I & E Technician)

13.	Instrumentation, Control, and Electrical Technician (I C & E Technician)

14.	Maintenance Mechanic

15.	Maintenance Technician

16.	Mechanic

17.	Mechanical Technician

18.	Operations and Maintenance Technician

19.	Operations Technician

20.	Operator

21.	Operator Technician

22.	Plant Control Operator

23.	Plant Mechanic

24.	Plant Operator

25.	Plant Technician

26.	PPO (Power Plant Operator)

27.	Pump Technician

Job Tasks

	Identify and correct malfunctions of geothermal plant equipment, electrical systems, instrumentation, or controls. Troubleshoot equipment or systems operation problems. Repair green energy equipment or systems.

	Monitor and adjust operations of geothermal power plant equipment or systems. Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.

	Adjust power production systems to meet load and distribution demands. Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.

	Collect and record data associated with operating geothermal power plants or well fields. Document operational activities.

	Prepare and maintain logs, reports, or other documentation of work performed. Document operational activities. Maintain repair or maintenance records.

	Install and maintain geothermal plant electrical protection equipment. Install energy-efficient heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) equipment. Maintain work equipment or machinery.

	Maintain electrical switchgear, process controls, transmitters, gauges, and control equipment in accordance with geothermal plant procedures. Repair electronic equipment.

	Maintain, calibrate, or repair plant instrumentation, control, and electronic devices in geothermal plants. Calibrate equipment to specifications. Repair electronic equipment.

	Determine whether emergency or auxiliary systems will be needed to keep properties heated or cooled in extreme weather conditions. Determine types of equipment, tools, or materials needed for jobs.

	Test water sources for factors such as flow volume and contaminant presence. Test fluids to identify contamination or other problems.

	Install and maintain geothermal system instrumentation or controls. Install energy-efficient heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) equipment. Maintain work equipment or machinery.

	Prepare newly installed geothermal heat systems for operation by flushing, purging, or other actions. Service heating, ventilation or air-conditioning (HVAC) systems or components.

	Apply coatings or operate systems to mitigate corrosion of geothermal plant equipment or structures. Apply protective coverings to objects or surfaces near work areas.

	Operate equipment such as excavators, backhoes, rock hammers, trench compactors, pavement saws, grout mixers or pumps, geothermal loop reels, and coil tubing units (CTU). Move large objects using heavy equipment.

	Identify equipment options, such as compressors, and make appropriate selections. Determine types of equipment, tools, or materials needed for jobs.

	Perform pre- and post-installation pressure, flow, and related tests of vertical and horizontal geothermal loop piping. Test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning.

	Install, maintain, or repair ground or water source-coupled heat pumps to heat and cool residential or commercial building air or water. Install energy-efficient heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) equipment. Service heating, ventilation or air-conditioning (HVAC) systems or components.

	Weld piping, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) piping, using techniques such as butt, socket, side-wall, and electro-fusion welding. Operate welding equipment.

	Determine the type of geothermal loop system most suitable to a specific property and its heating and cooling needs. Determine types of equipment, tools, or materials needed for jobs.

	Dig trenches for system piping to appropriate depths and lay piping in trenches. Dig holes or trenches. Install piping for installation or maintenance activities.

	Design and lay out geothermal heat systems according to property characteristics, heating and cooling requirements, piping and equipment requirements, applicable regulations, or other factors. Develop equipment or component configurations.

	Integrate hot water heater systems with geothermal heat exchange systems. Install energy-efficient heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) equipment.

	Backfill piping trenches to protect pipes from damage.

	Calculate heat loss and heat gain factors for residential properties to determine heating and cooling required by installed geothermal systems. Install energy-efficient heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) equipment.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

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